New York Giants tackle Will Beatty is one of the few NFL free agents returning to his team who seems delighted with that development. / Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

by Mike Garafolo, USA TODAY Sports

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. â?? There are unhappy, disappointed NFL players everywhere following a free-agent period in which the market was much barer than many of them expected.

And then, there's Will Beatty, he of the five-year, $38.75 million contract signed before the market even opened.

"I was like, 'Yeah! We did the right thing,' " the New York Giants left tackle told reporters Thursday during a break in offseason workouts.

Beatty's deal works out to $7.75 million per season. The contract tackle Jake Long signed with the St. Louis Rams following a long courtship and a flirtation with returning to the Miami Dolphins is for $8.5 million per year.

Long is a former No. 1 overall pick. Beatty is a second-rounder, whose 15 starts last season were a career high.

Needless to say, his contract was one of the better ones signed this offseason.

"The contract that they offered me was great," Beatty said. "I'm happy that they brought me back, I'm happy that they still believe in me, still see my potential to grow."

Giants general manager Jerry Reese has often used the term "blue-goose left tackle," meaning a player with the feet and skill-set to play the position. Beatty has always had those qualities, but needed to develop toughness and consistency.

Beatty did just that under offensive line coach Pat Flaherty, and now he's being compensated for it.

"It's different from that rookie contract feeling of, they picked me up, they expect something from me but I haven't proved it yet," Beatty said. "(Now it's) being a vet, getting another contract. 'We already know what you can do, go out there and do it. Some of the new guys coming in, let them know how the New York Giants' organization works.'

"For me, I'm excited, I'm glad I didn't go into the free agency market and not have to sit it out and wait until camp. I'm here for the start of offseason workouts, so I'm happy."